Diageo (NYSE:DEO) Sets New 1-Year Low – Here’s What Happened

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) shares hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $105.22 and last traded at $105.38, with a volume of 597813 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $106.19.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on DEO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. UBS Group raised Diageo from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Diageo from $124.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Diageo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Diageo has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $129.00.

Diageo Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $58.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.36, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The company’s 50-day moving average is $112.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $122.48.

Diageo Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Diageo’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.42%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in Diageo in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Diageo during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Eastern Bank raised its position in shares of Diageo by 107.8% during the fourth quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 241 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas acquired a new position in shares of Diageo in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. 8.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Diageo Company Profile

Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. The company offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaça, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavored malt beverages. It also provides Chinese, Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as flavored malt beverages, ready to drink, and non-alcoholic products.